Chapter 17 of Punjab Land Records Manual

GAZETTEERS

(Replaces Standing Order No.43, Original Issue, dated 19^th October,1909)

17.1 Introductory - The orders of the Government of India as to the preparation of Gazetteers will be found in paragraph 836 of the Land Administration Manual. The revision of Gazetteers has now been entrusted to a separate organization under the supervision and control of the State Editor, Gazetteers, who undertakes the work of revising Gazetteers under the administrative control of the Financial Commissioner, Revenue. The latest instructions of the Government of India regarding the revision of Gzetteers are contained in their letter No.F.23-1/55.C-1(A) dated 17^th November 1956. Besides making the gazetteers more detailed and comprehensive, the new instructions provide for only one volume of the gazetteers for both descriptive and statistical matter instead of having two separate volumes 'A' and 'B' as provided in paragraph 836 of the Land Administration Manual.

17.2  Plan of Gazetters - The District Gazetters will have 19 chapters. To ensure "uniformity  of form contents and standard",  the Government of India laid down chapter headings and contents "providing", however, "room for variations and additions to meet the local or special needs." This pattern is detailed hereunder :-

DISTRICT GAZETTERS
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL

(a)  Introductory :-

(i)  Origin of the name of the district.

(ii)  Location, general boundaries, total area and population of the district.

(iii)  History of the district as an administrative unit and the charges in its component parts;

(iv)  Sub-Divisions, Tahsils and Thanas.

Note – For the sake of convenience a general reference may be made these subjects in the chapter of "General Administration".

(b)  Topography :-

(i)  Natural Divisions, Elevation, configuration etc.

(ii)  Hills;  Mountain system to which they belong, main peaks, heigh situation, vegetation etc.

(iii)  Plateaus and plains; Variations in sea level and lines of natural drainage ;

(iv)  Deserts.

(c)  River System and Water Resources –

(i)  Main Rivers and Tributaries and Canals

(ii)  Mineral Resources.

(d)  Geology –

(i)  Geological Formation ;

(ii)  Mineral Resources;

(iii)  Seismicity

(e)  Flora-

(f)  Fauna –

(g)  Climate –

(i)  Climatic divisions and seasons and their duration;

(ii)  Temprature and humidity

(iii)  Rainfall ;

(iv)  Atmospheric pressure and winds.

CHAPTER II
HISTORY

Note – The section headings are given  only to indicate the general scope of the subject and the State Editors might effect such changes as they consider necessary  to present local history in the proper light. The study should be based on standard works, due attention being paid to recent advances in historical research . Adequate attention should be paid to the pre-British period and the post-Mutiny developments which have not received adequate attention in the old  Gazetters. Matters relating to economic, social and cultural life should receive as much attention as political history. Particular regard should be had to public life and popular movements of the 19^th century which have received scant attention in the past. In the treatment of events after the First world war, there is need for very great objectivity and the account should be limited to a narration of well-accepted facts. Since the history of India as a whole will be dealt with at length in the Central Gazetters, the District Gazetters should aim at highlighing the local history and local manifetation of all India events. Papers in the Local Record Rooms, family archives and papers with religious and other institutions may be utilised to the extent resources permit. Such of those papers as can well go in with the Gazetters may be given in the Appendix. But many documents of great historical value, which cannot appropriately  be included in the Gazetters, may come to light in the course of the work on the Gazetters. The attention of the State Government may be drawn to them to secure their publication outside the Gazetters Scheme

CHAPTER III
PEOPLE

(a)  Population :-

                (i)  Total population :

               Emigration and immigration.

           (ii)  Distribution of population between rural and

                   urban areas.

         (b)  Language.

(a)  Religion and Caste.

Principal Communities

(b)  Social life :-

(i)  Property and Inheritence;

(ii)  Marriages and morals :

     Marriage.

     Widow Re-marriage.

     Morals.

     Birth and Death Ceremonies.

(iii)  Home Life –

      Types of Dwellings.

      Furniture and Decoration.

      Dress and Ornaments.

(iv)  Communal Life –

      Fairs and Festivals.

      Folk Songs and Cultural Life.

      Games and Recreations.

(c)  Rehabilitation-

Rural Re-settlement

Urban Re-settlement.

Note – It was the practice of the old Gazetters to deal with the manners, customs and belies of each caste and tribe at length. A briefer treatment would appear to be adepate for the present purpose. Those who are interested inf urther details can consult the old Gazeteers and books on social anthropology. Castes and tribes which are culturally distinct and unique may, however, require fuller treatment. The old Gazeteers also overstressed  the prevalence of animistic beliefs and survivals of old customs and rituals. Valuable as these studies are they do not give a correct picture of the people as a shole. Sufficient attention should be paid to the influence of higher religious ideas and also to the new religious and social reform movements.

CHAPTER IV
AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

(a)  Land Reclamation and Utilisation -

(i)  Land utilisation.

(ii)  Cultivable waste.

(iii)  Reclamation of Waterlogged Areas, Swa-

mps , etc.

(b) Irrigation –

(i) Irrigation facilities -

Canals 

Wells

Tube-wells and pumping sets.

(c)  Agriculture including Horticulture –

(i)  Set-up and Activities of the Agriculture  

Department;

(ii)  Soils, climate and crops -

Soils

Major and subsidary crops.

Vegetables.

Fruit crops and gardens.

(iii)  Improved Agricultural Practices;

(iv)  Crop competition scheme;

(v)  Agricultural Co-operatives -

(1)  Primary Agricultural Credit-Service

Societies.

(2)  Agricultural Non-credit societies :

Co-operative Marketing Societies

Co-operative Farming Societies

Other Societies.

(vi)  Programme of Scientific Agriculture-

Agriculture Implements.

Seeds.

Crop rotation.

Fallow cultivation.

Fertilizers and Manures.

Chemical Fertilizers.

Local Manurial resources.

Rural Compost and Cattle Dunge Manure.

Green Manuring

Town Compost and Sewage Utilization

Urban Compost

Sewage/Sullage Utilization.

(vii)  Agriculture diseases and Pests and Obnox-

 ious Weeds.

(d)  Animal  Husbandry and Fishries –

(i)  Animal Health and Breeding Wings.

Animal Health Wing.

Animal Breeding Wing.

Intensive Cattle Development Project Centre

Development of Gaushalls.

Cattle Faris and Shows.

Castration.

Control of Menance of Wild and  Stray Catt-

les.

Gosadans.

(ii)  Area under Fodder Crops;

(iii)  Dairy Farming;

(iv)  Sheep Breeding;

(v)  Poultry Farming;

(vi)  Piggery ;

(vii)  Fisheriesl

(viii)  Animal Diseases and Veterniary Hospitals.

(e)  Forestry -

(i)  Importance of Forestry in the economey of the District;

(ii)  Forest produce.

(d)  Floods.

(e) Famine.

APPENDICES.

Note – Particular attention may be paid to institutions formed for exploiting  on a larger scale , agricultural, forest and animal husbandry resources, e.g. coffee and tea plantation. Special attention may also be paid to co-operation in the production and marketing of agriculture products.

CHAPTER V
INDSUTRIES

(a)  Old time Industries and Industrial Development.

(b)  State Aid to Industries.

(c)  Industrial Training.

(d)  Industrial areas and Estates.

(e)  Sources of Power.

(f)   Growth and Development of Industry.

(g)  Industries and Manufactures of the District –

(i)   Large Scale Industries ;

(ii)   Small-Scale Industreis ;

(iii)  Village/Cottage Industries and Handicrafts;

(iv)  Industrial Arts;

(h)  Industrial Potential and Plans for future Development.

(i)   Role of Industrial Co-operatives.

(j)   Labour and Employers' Organisations.

Note – In respect of each of the Industries, the following particulars may be given; the location of the factories, when they were started bumber of persons employed, capital investment, wages, sources of supply of raw material, significant features in the manufacturing process, and finished products and their marketing. More important of the Industries may be considered individually, while the others may be treated under appropriate groups. Special mention may be made of  State or Municipal management of industris and also of co-operative  ownership and management of industries. Under the head  "Ïndustrial Arts", the manufacture of articles which transcend purely utility  considerations and reach the realm of art may be mentioned.

CHPATER VI
BANKING, TRADE AND COMMERCE

(A) Banking and Finance -

(a)   History of Indigenous Banking.

(b)   General credit facilities :-

(i) Indebtedness, Rural and Urban;

(ii) Role of private money-lenders and financers;

 (iii) Government and Semi-Government credit

        agencies.

(iv) Joint Stock Bank;

(v)  Other loan and investment companies;

(vi) Co-operative credit;

  (c)  Insurance and Small Savings.

  (d)  Currency and Coinage.  

 

(B) Trade and Commerce –

(a)   Course of a Trade.

(b)  Trade Centres –

(i) Regulated and Unregulated Markets.

(ii) Fairs Melas and Other Rural Marketing Centres.

(c)   Co-operation in Trade –

(i) Co-operative Marketing.

(ii) Co-operative Consumers Stores.

(d)  State Trading.

(e)   Merchants and Consumers Associations and Organs for Dissemination of Trade News.

(f)   Wieghts and Measures.

(g)   Storage and Warehousing.

Appendices.

CHAPTER VII
COMMUNICATIONS

(a)  Old tune trade routes and highways and modes of conveyance.

(b)  Road Transport ;

(i)  Classification of Roads -

National Highways.

State Highways.

District Major Roads.

District Minor Roads.

Village Roads.

Municipal Roads.

(ii)  Vehicles and Conveyances –

Automobiles.

Cycles.

Cycle Rickshaws.

Horse Carriages.

(iii)  Public and Private Transport

(c)  Railways :

Rail Road Competition.

(d)  Waterways, Ferries and Bridges.

(e)  Air Transport

(f)  Travel and Tourist Facilities ;

Dak Bungalows and Rest Houses.

(g)  Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones.

(h)  Radio and Wireless Stations.

(i)  Organisations of Owners and Employees in the Field of Transport and Communications.

Appendices.

CHAPTER VIII
MISCLLANEOUS OCCUPATION

(a)   Public Administration –

State, Central and Local Government Services.

Public Employees Organisation.

(b)  Army.

(c)   Learned Professionals –

    Educational Services.

    Medical and Health Services.

    Legal Services.

    Engineering Services.

(d)  Personal and Domestic Services –

         Personal Services.

         Barbers.

         Washermen.

         Tailors.

         Self-employed persons.

         Domestic Services.

(e)   Miscellaneous Services –

Transport Services.

CHAPTER IX
ECONOMIC TRENDS

(a)  Livelihood Pattern and General Level of Prices and Wages and Standard of Living.

(b)  Employment situation –

Employment Exchange.

Employment Market Information Scheme.

Vocational Guidance Scheme.

(c)  Planning and Community Development.

Appendices.

CHAPTER X
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

(a)  Historical Background and Divisions of the District Administrative Divisions.

(b)  District Authorities –

Deputy Commissioners.

Sub-Divisional Officers.

Tehsildars and staff.

(c)  Development Organisation.

(d)  Panchyati Raj –

Panchayats.

Panchayat Samitis

Zila Parishad.

(e)  General Arrangement  for disposal of Business-

General Assistants.

Public Greievances Officer.

Civil Defence Controller.

Executive Magistrate.

Assistant Commissioners.

Registration.

Official Receiver.

Oath Commissioners.

Notary Public.

District Attorney.

(f)  District Committees.

(g)  Other Important Officers –

Police.

Judiciary.

Military.

(h)  Other State and Central Government Officers.

CHAPTER XI
REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

(a)   Land Revenue Administration –

(i) History of Land Revenue Assessment and Management.

(ii) Collection of Land Revenue.

(iii) Organisation for purposes of Land Administration.

(iv) Income from Land Revenue and Special Cesses.

(b)  Land Reforms –

(i) Security of Land Tenures.

(ii) Utilisation of Lands.

(iii) Consolidation of Holdings.

(iv) Agrarian movements, Bhoodan, peasent or-

     ganisations etc.

(v) Rural wages and condition of agricultural

     labour.

(c) Other sources of Revenue, State and Central.

CHPATER XII
LAW AND ORDER AND JUSTICE

(a)   Incidence of Crime in District.

(b)  History and Organisation of Police –

Organisation of Police.

Civil Police.

Punjab Armed Police and Mounted Police.

Prosecution Staff.

Criminal Investigation Department.

Vigilence Police.

Anti-Smuggling Staff.

Police Wireless Station.

Railway Police.

Excise Police Staff.

Village Police.

Punjab Home Guards.

(c)   Jails and Lock-ups –

(i) Location of Jails and Lock ups  and prison organisations.

(ii) Prison discipline.

(iii) Welfare of Prisoners : Vocational Training, educational facilities, recreation, etc.;

(iv) District Crime Prevention Officer.

(v) Organisation of Civil and Criminal Courts.

(vi) Bar Associations.

CHAPTER XIII
OTHER DEPARTMENTS

(a)   Public Works Department.

(b)  Public Relation Department.

(c)   Co-operative Department.

(d)  Food and Supplies Department.

(e)   Finance Department

(f)   Planning Department

(g)   Language Department

Note – The arrangement should follow the organisational pattren of

each State. In view of the recommendations of the Second State  Editors conference, the scope of the chapter is limited to a consideration of the activities of those departments whose work has not been reviewed in other chapters.

CHAPTER XIV
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

(a)  Evolution of Local Government in the District.
(b)  Organisation and Structure.

Functions and Duties of Municipal Committees.

(c)  Town Planning and Housing.
(d)  Panchayati Raj; its organisation and structure;

powers and duties; financial resources; special acheivements, if any ; etc.

APPENDICES.
CHAPTER XV
EDUCTION AND CULTURE

(a)  Historical Background : Centres of Learning in ancient, medieval and early modern time. Beginnings of Westren Education and pioneer work, done in the district.

(b)  Literacy and Educational Standards :-

Educational Societies rendering service in the field of education;

Women's Education;

Education of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.

Role of Local Bodies in the Field of Education;

Medium of instruction ;

Educational Set-up ;

(c)  General Education :-

Pre-primary Schools.

Primary and Basic Schools.

Secondary Schools.

Higher Education.

(d)  Professional and Technical Education :-

Teachers Training.

Medical Education.

Engineering.

Technical Education;

Commercial Colleges, etc.

(e)  Physical Education :-

Sports Department.

National Fitness Corps.

National Cadet Corps.

Bharat Scouts and Guides.

(f)  Schools for Cultivation of Fine Arts : Music, Dancing, Painting etc.

(g)  Oriental Schools and Colleges.

(h)  Education for the Handicapped : Deaf, Dumb and Blind.

(i)  Adult Literacy, Social Education  and Measures  for the Diffusion of Culture among the Masses.

(j)  Cultural and Literary Societies and Periodicals.

(k)  Libraries and Museums.

CHAPTER  XVI
MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

(a)  Public Health and Medical Facilities in the Early Times.

(b)  Vital Statistics : General Standard of health or reflected  by the statistics. Important causes of mortality.

(c)  Diseases Common to the District.

(d)  Medical and Public Health Services.
         
Hospitals, Primary Health Centres, Dispensaries

etc.

Blood Banks.

School Health Services.

Medical Aid during Floods.

Prevention of Adulteration of Foodstuffs.

(e)  Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

(f)  Medical and Public Health Education Institutions.

(g)  Sanitation.

(i)  Public Health and Sanitation in Urban Areas.             

(ii)  Rural Sanitation and Water Supply.

Appendices.              

CHPATER XVII

OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE

(a)  Labour Welfare

Labour Legislation

Subsideised Industrial Housing Scheme

Labour Welfare Centres

(b)  Prohibition

(c)  Advancement of Backward Classes and Tribes

Scheduled Casts and Backward Classes

Measures Adopted for Betterment of the

Conditions of the Scheduled Castes and

Backward Classes.

Social Welfare Schemes

Industrial Training Schemes

Representative Institutions

(d)  Other Social Welfare Activities

Old Age Pension Scheme

(e)  Public Trusts, Charitable Endowments and Muslim Wakfs

Appendix

CHAPTER XVIII
PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL
SERVICE ORGANISATIONS

(a)  Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislatures.

Historical Retrospect

General Elections held under the Constitution of India

(b)  Political Parties and Organisations

All-India Parties

State Parties

(c)  Newspapers and Periodicals.

Newspapers and Periodicals Published in the

District and their Importance.

Newspapers and Periodicals Published outs-

ide but in Fairly Large Circulation in the

District.

(d)  Voluntary Social Service Organisations      

General Welfare Institutions.

Women's Organisations.

Youth Organisations.

Organistions of National or International

Repute.

CHAPTER XIX
PLACES OF INTEREST

All plaes of historical and tourist interest , pilgrim centres, commercial and trading centres, and other important places.

Note – The names should be arranged in a strictly alphabatical order.

17.3  Map, charts and photographs To add to the utility and interest of the District Gazetters, a small scale general map of the district 1 c.m. = 2.5344 k.m. (4 miles to the inch), charts and photographs of important objects should be provided therein.

17.4 Printing and Publication - On completion, the draft of the Gazetteer will be submitted to the Government of India for scrutiny and approval. In the light of the suggestions of the Government of India, necessary additions and alterations will be made in it.

Thereafter, the Gazetteer will be sent for printing to the Controller, Prnting and Stationary, Punjab, Chandigarh, who will arrange that proof sheets are forwarded to the State Editor, Gazetteers, for correction.

17.5   Collection and Compliation of material for Gazetteers - Whenever the preparation of a District Gazetteer is taken up, the State Editor, Gazetteers, will issue questionnaire/letters to the concerned district and State/Central Authorities and knowledgeable persons and institutions for supplying the necessary information. Information will also be collected personally by the State Editor, Gazetteers, and his staff from departmental reports and other Government publications, relevant books, periodicals and newspapers and by visiting place of interest.